JACKSONVILLE, FL—North Florida bursted for five runs in the fifth inning behind a complete game performance from Nick Marchese as the Ospreys recorded a 5-2 victory in game two of the three game ASUN Conference series with NJIT Saturday afternoon at Harmon Stadium.
 
The two teams will conclude the series on Sunday at 1pm at Harmon Stadium.  Senior righty Sean Lubreski (4-4) will be on the mound for NJIT.
 
Marchese (4-0) pitched a nine-inning complete game, allowing four hits and two Highlander runs, while striking out six batters.
 
NJIT's Tyler Stafflinger (1-3) was credited with the loss, pitching 7.0 innings, letting up 11 hits one five runs, fanning three Osprey batters.  Freshman Grant Vurpillat pitched a scoreless eighth innings, giving up just one hit.
 
The visitors took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on an Osprey error after a grounder by Nick Hussey, which advanced the Highlander to second.  Senior CF Michael Anastasia recorded an RBI double, his fourth of the season, scoring Hussey.
 
North Florida exploded for five runs in the fifth inning on six hits, to take a 5-1 advantage.
 
Sophomore LF Julio Marcano blasted a solo shot to left, his fourth of the season, in the sixth, cutting the Osprey lead to 5-2.
 
The Highlanders rallied in the top of the ninth, with two outs, on back-to-back singles by 2B Brett Helmkamp and RF Matthew Cocciadiferro, putting runners on first and second but Marchese secured the win with a pop-up to end the game.